Our estate planning probate and estate administration practice focuses on helping clients achieve comprehensive estate planning goals, from the most traditional level of estate planning to the most advanced level of tax-saving strategies.

Estate Planning

We handle a variety of estate planning matters, including planning for the distribution of an individual’s property at his or her death and taking into account wills, taxes, insurance, property, and trusts so as to gain the maximum benefit of all laws, while, at the same time, carrying out the person’s wishes. By way of example, estate planning may include wills, spousal and children’s trusts, insurance trusts, special needs trusts, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, advance medical directives, powers of attorney (general, special and medical), as well as an array of sophisticated planning techniques used to protect assets from unnecessary probate costs and taxation. Ignoring the issue of estate planning could result in your estate being distributed by the probate court in the manner imposed by law. You will have no say in how your estate will be distributed or who the administrator will be. If you want to direct the passing of your assets at death, name an executor, and keep taxes and expenses to a minimum, you need to contact an experienced estate planning attorney.

Wills and Trusts – Using a Form Instead of Hiring an Experienced Estate Planning Attorney

It is unlikely that the generic form will or trust you downloaded from the internet has taken into account the legal requirements of Georgia. A form will or trust will not take your wishes into account either. In the long run, a “do-it-yourself” will or trust may be more expensive than consulting with an estate planning lawyer. For example, for a trust to be effective it takes more than simple drafting: the assets must be transferred into it. Without proper legal assistance, all of the tax benefits of using a trust can be lost.

Probate and Estate Administration and Litigation

Probate and Estate Administration

In addition to estate planning, we also assist clients with Probate and Estate Administration. State laws and procedures vary greatly, so, it is important to consult a Georgia Probate and Estate Administration lawyer with expertise in this area of the law to ensure that the assets are distributed correctly.

Probate and Estate Litigation

We also represent clients when litigation arises from the probate and estate administration process. Family members often find themselves in disagreement over the interpretation, administration, and management of estates and trusts. We regularly bring suits and defend challenges to wills (“will contests’) based on competency, authenticity or undue influence.

Elder Law

In addition to providing traditional estate planning, we also provide guidance and counsel in the special planning needs of older clients, including financial planning; estate planning; major entitlement programs such as Social Security income, pension and retirement benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid; health care considerations; planning for incapacity, including living wills, durable powers of attorney, and right-to-die issues.

Whatever your Estate Planning, Probate or Estate Administration needs, you can count on us to handle the matter discreetly, effectively and efficiently